Athletic instruction apparatus, system and method

ABSTRACT

An athletic instruction apparatus including a head positioner adapted to be disposed under a user&#39;s chin, a strap adapted to secure the head positioner to the user, and a fastener to removably fasten the strap to the head positioner, and a system and method of use thereof.

BACKGROUND

The present development is directed to an athletic instruction apparatus, system, and method, namely, an instruction apparatus suited for use by athletes and other users, and a system and method of using the apparatus.

A challenge frequently faced by athletes, particularly swimmers, and even more particularly competitive swimmers, is efficiency. A swimmer can gain efficiency and reduce drag in the water by finding and maintaining a suitable body position while swimming. This gain in efficiency and reduction in drag may be achieved by setting up a predetermined optimized head position that will in turn raise the swimmer's hips and legs.

Solutions have been proposed to encourage and train swimmers to maintain a predetermined optimized head position. For example, a snorkel may allow the head to stay in line with the body, but the snorkel may not allow the athlete to breathe properly if at all. An ordinary ball, such as a tennis ball, may be held under the swimmer's chin to try to accomplish a suitable body line, but the rest of the stroke is lost through the struggle to hold onto the ball.

Thus, it may be desirable to have a safe, user-friendly, compact, and easily attachable and detachable athletic instruction device that may aid a swimmer or any other user in attaining an optimized body position.

SUMMARY

The present development is intended to help a user achieve an optimized head and body position in order to create a habit, i.e. develop muscle memory, that is sustainable during practice and competition. The device may aid any user in training the body to maintain a predetermined optimized body position. The device may provide the user with physical and kinesthetic reinforcement of body alignment during an activity; specifically, it may aid swimmers by providing physical and kinesthetic reinforcement in body alignment for all strokes, during streamlines, and during breakouts for all strokes. The device may also aid swimmers with body position during flip turns and open turns, and aid swimmers with head position during breathing for all strokes. For the purposes of this application, the term ‘user’ can refer to any athlete, as applicable, such as a swimmer, a runner, a golfer, a synchronized swimmer, a diver, or any other athlete or user in a sport or activity that may require an individual to hold their head in a specific orientation relative to the body to achieve a predetermined, desired body position.

The present disclosure relates to an instruction apparatus and/or system and/or method by which the apparatus may be used, namely, a head positioner with releasable and adjustable straps that may allow a user to learn and maintain an optimized head position and body alignment while, i.e., swimming and doing other training tasks in the pool. The device is intended to be easy to use, with built in safety features.

The optimized head position may be accomplished by placing the head positioner under the chin and securing the head positioner in place with the straps. The user may then place pressure on the head positioner, encouraging the spine and neck into alignment with the rest of the body. The head positioner portion of the apparatus may sit directly under the user's chin. The adjustable straps may be attached to opposing sides of the head positioner portion by detachable clips, magnets, or any other suitable detachable fastener or attachment component. The adjustable strap or straps may be positioned around the neck, or around the head, or secured in any manner that would secure the device in position under the user's chin without unduly restricting the user's motion or breathing. If the device is worn too tight or too hard, the straps may be designed to detach from the head positioner portion.

There may be an additional feedback component integral with the apparatus. The feedback component may emit a predetermined user-perceptible stimulus that would aid the user in maintaining the predetermined optimized body position while performing an activity. The stimulus may be, for example, audial, tactile, or metric.

The feedback component could be a vibrational component, which could create a constant vibration until appropriate pressure would be applied from the user to the device, forcing the user to maintain appropriate pressure and head position to keep the vibration turned off. The components may be constructed of a variety of waterproof or water-resistant materials that simultaneously are adapted for wearability by the user.

There may also be a separate or additional audial emitter integral with the device, which could have a source of audial stimulus that would create a human-perceptible sound until the user applies appropriate pressure. The application of pressure would quiet the sound and encourage the user to maintain optimal head and body position.

Additionally, there may also be a pace counter or a stroke rate counter incorporated into the device, to help the user maintain pace in an athletic activity with a stroke, rhythm, or tempo. For example, the pace counter or stroke rate counter could aid the swimmer to keep a certain stroke rate or pace while maintaining optimal body position. The pace counter or stroke rate counter may be either independent of or integral with the vibrational component and the audial component. Also, a computer, a timer, or a counting and recording device, may be present to allow the user to keep track of time spent in optimal body position, number of strokes taken while in optimal body position, or other metrics that may be captured by the device and components. The pace counter, stroke rate counter, or timer could provide a metric stimulus, similar to that of a metronome, to the user. The pace counter, stroke rate counter, timer, and/or metric stimulus may dependent on or independent of the pressure switch. The timer component may be a computer adapted to be disposed within the apparatus.

When wearing the device, users would have a physical reference to find and maintain an optimized body position. This gives the user a reference point of contact for his/her chin aligning the neck, back and hips. This could aid a user such as a swimmer while breathing, during streamlines/breakouts, and the flip turn tuck position. Thus, the device may be used as part of a training regimen to learn and reinforce optimized body position during swimming or other athletic activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 provides a top elevational view of a swim instruction apparatus including a head positioner, fasteners, and a strap.

FIG. 2 provides a top elevational view of versions of the head positioner;

FIG. 3 provides a top elevational view of a version of the swim instruction apparatus including a head positioner with a vibrating, audial, metric, or timing component, fasteners, and a strap;

FIG. 4 provides a top elevational view of the component which may be a vibrating component, audial component, metric component, or timing component.

FIG. 5 provides a side elevational view of the swim instruction apparatus in position on a individual user;

FIG. 6 provides another side elevational view of the swim instruction apparatus in position on a individual user;

FIG. 7 provides a side elevational view of a user performing a freestyle stroke while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 8 provides a side elevational view of a user performing the backstroke while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 9 provides a side elevational view of a user performing the breast stroke while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 10 provides a side elevational view of a user performing the butterfly while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 11 provides a side elevational view of a user performing a swimming start while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 12 provides a side elevational view of a user performing a flip turn while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 13, shown herein as FIGS. 13 a and 13 b, provides a view of a user in a streamline position; and FIG. 13 a provides a side elevational view while FIG. 13 b provides a top plan view.

FIG. 14 provides a side elevational view of a user performing an open turn while using the swim instruction apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method and system of using the swim instruction apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The developments hereof relate to an athletic instruction apparatus configured to enable easy use, and a system and method of use thereof. In many implementations, the apparatus has a head positioner, a fastener or fasteners, and a strap or straps. In some implementations, the head positioner may take a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the individual user or the athletic activity. In other implementations, the head positioner may have a vibrational component, an audial component, a pace/stroke counter, or a timer.

As generally shown in FIG. 1, an implementation of an athletic instruction apparatus 100 may have a head positioner 110. Also shown is a strap 120, shown here as strap portions 120 a and 120 b, which may be removably attached to an adjuster 130 for adjustment and replacement as necessary. The adjuster 130 may be made of any suitable configuration or material, such as a buckle, Velcro® or other hook-and-loop closures, a snap closure, and a clip closure, a backpack-style clip closure, or a baseball cap-style snap closure. The strap portions 120 a and 120 b are adapted to be attached to the head positioner 110 through paired and/or complementary fasteners 140 and 150. The first fastener 140, shown here as 140 a and 140 b, is dimensioned and adapted to be disposed on the head positioner 100. The second fastener 150, shown here as 150 a and 150 b, is adapted to be disposed on the strap or straps 120, e.g. 120 a and 120 b. As shown in FIG. 1, the first fastener 140 a is disposed at a first position of the head positioner 110 and the second fastener 140 b is disposed on an opposing second position of a head positioner 110. In the event that the head positioner 110 is a sphere, 140 a and 140 b may be on opposing poles, or may be angled so as to provide alternate positions for the user.

FIG. 2 shows the head positioner 110 (FIG. 1) in a variety of shapes. For example, the head positioner 110 may be a small sphere 111, a large sphere 112, a cylinder 113, an ergonomic shape 114, or two conjoined spheres 115. Other shapes and sized may be utilized to suit the sport and the user.

FIG. 3 shows an athletic instruction apparatus 200 with a feedback component. In this implementation, the athletic instruction apparatus 200 may have a head positioner 210. Also shown is a strap 220, shown here as strap portions 220 a and 220 b, which may be removably attached to an adjuster 230. The adjuster 230 may be made of any suitable configuration, such as a buckle, Velcro® or other hook-and-loop closures, a snap closure, and a clip closure, a backpack-style clip closure, or a baseball cap-style snap closure for adjustment and replacement as necessary. The strap portions 220 a and 220 b may be adapted to be attached to the head positioner 210 through paired and/or complementary fasteners 240 and 250. The first fastener 240, shown here as 240 a and 240 b, is adapted to be disposed on the head positioner 210. The second fastener 250, shown here as 250 a and 250 b, is adapted to be disposed on the strap or straps 220. As shown in FIG. 3, the first fastener 240 a is disposed at a first position of the head positioner 210 and the second fastener 240 b is disposed at an opposing second position of the head positioner 210. In the event that the head positioner 210 is a sphere, 240 a and 240 b may be on opposing poles, or may be angled so as to provide alternate positions for the user.

Also shown in FIG. 3 is a pressure switch 260, a switch cover 270, and an on/off switch 280. The on/off switch 280 is adapted to be activated by the user. Then, in a typical situation, the pressure switch 260 is activated by the user's chin during operation. The on/off switch 280 may be depressed to enable the feedback component and may be pressed to disable the feedback component. Once the feedback component is enabled and the device 200 is in place, the pressure switch 260 may be activated or inactivated by the user's chin. This situation is shown in FIG. 5, where the user applies pressure, shown by arrow 285, in a generally downward direction.

FIG. 4 shows the internal mechanisms in greater detail. In FIG. 4, the battery 290, wire 310, and hollow tube 320 holding the feedback component 300, are integrated into the device 200 (FIG. 3). The feedback component 300 is integrated into the device 200 (FIG. 3); the feedback component may be a motor, a vibrator, an audial component or emitter, a timer or timing component and/or a pace counter, or the like. The on/off switch 280 and the pressure switch 260 are accessible to the user as shown in FIG. 3. The battery 290, feedback component 300, wire 310, and hollow tube 320 holding the feedback component are typically enclosed within the device 200, although they may be accessible for replacement, repair, or the like. The enclosure of the foregoing 290, 300, 310, and 320 is sufficiently water resistant or waterproof as to keep water from entering the vibrational mechanism and to keep the user safe.

Typically, once the on/off switch 280 is depressed, the circuit made by the battery 290, feedback component 300, and wire 310 is closed. When, e.g. in FIG. 4, the circuit is closed, the vibration may begin, in the event that the feedback may be a vibration. When the pressure switch 260 is activated by the user, the circuit is opened, and the vibration stops. Thus, the user is incentivized to stop the vibration by applying pressure to the pressure switch 260 with the user's chin or chest, and thereby obtaining optimized head and body position. The pressure switch need not be directly under the user's chin, but may also rest against the user's chest or against the user's neck; nevertheless, the application of pressure on the pressure switch 260 by the user to attain the optimal body position may stop the vibration.

Similarly, the depression of the on/off switch 280 may activate the feedback component 300 where the stimulus is a human-perceptible noise. The feedback component 300 in this case may any source of audial stimulus adapted to emit such a human-perceptible noise until depressed by the user. The noise emitted by the feedback component 300 may be of a suitable volume and of a frequency as to be sensed by the user regardless of the conditions, i.e. underwater, and may even be of a suitable volume to be sensed by someone besides the user, such as a coach. The feedback component 300 may be just a source of audial stimulus by itself, and/or with a vibration motor and/or timing component.

The feedback component 300 may also be a timer, pace counter, or stroke rate counter that may be operated by the user's application of pressure, or may be activated by the on/off switch 280. The timer may serve as a conventional metronome, pace counter or stroke rate counter, emitting an alert or stimulus at a predetermined interval to the user to assist the user with his or her timing. The timer may also serve as a tracker of the user's performance, for example, by communicating with the pressure switch 260 to track the strokes completed while the user maintained the optimized body position.

In FIG. 6, the apparatus 100 is shown in place on a user. As illustrated, the apparatus 100 is disposed around under the user's chin and secured around the user's neck by a strap 120. Although not shown here, the strap or straps may also be positioned in any other manner that suitably secures the device 110 under the user's chin. The head positioner 110 is under the user's chin, and the fasteners 140, 150 are seen attaching the strap 120 to the head positioner 110. Deployment of the apparatus 100 results in a head tuck position 410 and a resulting optimized body position 420.

FIG. 7 shows a view of the apparatus in use during a user's freestyle stroke. While wearing the apparatus 100, users are instructed to keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110, a ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained. Thus, the user's head and neck are kept in line and stationary with the user's shoulders and hips creating an optimized body alignment 420. During the user's breathing, the user's head is forced to breathe low and “in the pocket” while still maintaining optimized body alignment. The head, shoulders, and hips of the user become a stationary axis for the body to rotate around while pulling and kicking, thus forcing high elbow return and rotation of the body around the body's axis.

FIG. 8 shows a view of the apparatus in use on a user doing the backstroke. While wearing the apparatus 100, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110, a ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained. Thus, the user's head and neck are kept in line and stationary with the user's shoulders and hips creating an optimized body alignment 420. It becomes difficult for a user to tuck his/her chin too close to the chest and forces the hips up to create a high in line body position. The head, shoulders, and hips of the user become a stationary axis for the body to rotate around while pulling and kicking If more of the known “banana position” is desired, the size of the head positioner 110 can be decreased.

FIG. 9 shows a view of the apparatus in use on a user doing the breaststroke. While wearing the apparatus 100, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, a ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained, and the resulting position of the user's shoulders and hips may lead to optimized body alignment 420 during the forward drive phase of the stroke. In keeping the chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user is also kept from excessive up and down motions while breathing, and limiting the amount of resistance during that phase of the stroke.

FIG. 10 shows a view of the apparatus in use on a user doing the butterfly. While wearing the apparatus 100, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, a ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained, and the resulting position of the user's shoulders and hips may lead to optimized body alignment 420 during the second forward drive phase of the stroke, i.e. the hand entry. In keeping the chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user is also encouraged to breathe forward, keeping the head low and in the breathing pocket during the beginning of the stroke and the recovery. The apparatus 100 also limits the user from engaging in excessive up and down motions, and thus results in more forward drive.

FIG. 11 shows a view of the apparatus in use on a user on starting blocks, preparing for a start. While wearing the apparatus 100 during a start, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, a ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained, and the resulting position of the user's shoulders and hips may lead to optimized body alignment 420 commencing with the start and continuing through to the entry in the water. In keeping the chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user's head does not engage in unnecessary motion during the start phase of the swim, and also may guide the user in an optimal direction 430 from starting blocks to water.

FIG. 12 shows a view of the apparatus in use on a user performing a flip turn. While wearing the apparatus 100 during a flip turn, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, a ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained, which in turn leads the back to round into optimal flip turning position for the flip phase of the turn. In keeping the chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user also may maintain optimized body position through the flip turn into the streamline position described above as stated below.

FIGS. 13 a and 13 b show views of the apparatus in use on a user in a streamline position. FIG. 13 a shows a side view of the user in a streamline position, while FIG. 13 b shows an alternate view of the front of a user in a streamline position. While wearing the apparatus 100 during the streamline, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the aforementioned ‘head tuck’ position 410 is attained. In keeping the chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user may maintain optimized body position through the duration of the streamline position and into the subsequent stroke.

FIG. 14 shows a view of the apparatus in use on a user performing an open turn. While wearing the apparatus 100 during an open turn, users may keep their chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100. By keeping the user's chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user's head is encouraged to take an in-line and stationary position relative to the user's shoulders, creating the optimized body alignment 420 for the user to shift the user's weight in and away from the wall while executing the open turn. The apparatus 100 also helps the user learn the “pocket” to breathe in while doing an open turn. In keeping the chin in contact with the head positioner 110 portion of the apparatus 100, the user may effect a change of direction 450 holding the user's head in an optimized position through the open turn into the streamline position described above as stated above.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the methodology of swim instruction using the apparatus 100 or alternate versions of the apparatus.

An apparatus such as any of the apparatuses as described above may thus provide convenient and safe ways to instruct a user in the proper or optimized body position for their respective sport. Specifically, the apparatus as described above may help a user such as a swimmer learn and maintain optimized head, neck, shoulder, hip, and overall body position during training, for establishment and reinforcement of muscle memory and ultimately improved performance during competition. The ease and quickness with which the apparatus can be put on can be attractive features for a user or for a user's coach, allowing the apparatus to be put on and removed without undue interruption of a set or practice.

Other contemplated uses hereof may include any type of athletic endeavor where a predetermined optimized body position is important, such as swimming, golf, track and field, synchronized swimming, diving, and/or any sport that may require a user to hold their head in line with the body to achieve a desired body position. For example, a golfer might wear the apparatus while practicing a golf swing to prevent the golfer from moving the head out of the desired orientation during the swing. A runner may wear the apparatus during training or intervals to reinforce optimized body position and discourage undesired head movement. Moreover, the apparatus is easily portable and easily adaptable to a variety of users and a variety of athletic endeavors.

As introduced above, a variety of alternative components may implement the apparatus hereof. The apparatus described herein may come in different forms. Thus, the straps may be of a suitable material that is synthetic, woven or stretchable, such as rubber or a rubber composite, or woven stretchable fabric, or may be of any other resilient, bendable and/or waterproof material. The head positioner may also be made of a tennis ball, a conventional ball, a suitable material fashioned into an ergonomic shape, or rubber, plastic, or any material to hold shape and form to support the contact of the chin.

Moreover, though structures have been shown and described in some detail herein, the scope and content hereof is not so limited, and instead may include alternative structures. Still furthermore, the connection and feedback mechanisms hereof are illustrative only as well and not limitative of the scope and content hereof. Other connection and feedback mechanisms may be used to the same or substantially the same effect, and thus be covered hereby.

Apparatuses hereof may be made by any of a variety of methods and/or of a variety of materials. Shapes and sizes are not limited to those shown and described here either, as sizes and shapes may be selected to adapt to any of many alternative structures. Although the present development has been described with reference to preferred implementations, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the development described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An athletic instruction apparatus comprising: a head positioner adapted to be disposed under a user's chin; a strap adapted to secure the head positioner to the user; and a fastener to removably fasten the strap to the head positioner.
 2. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the head positioner comprises at least one of a sphere, a ball, a cylinder, a plurality of conjoined spheres, or an ergonomic form.
 3. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the head positioner comprises at least one of a tennis ball, a conventional ball, a resilient material, a rubber material, or a plastic material.
 4. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the strap comprises at least one of a synthetic material, a woven material, or a stretchable material.
 5. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an adjuster dimensioned and configured to allow an adjustment of the strap.
 6. The athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the adjuster comprises at least one of a buckle, a hook-and-loop closure, a snap closure, or a clip closure.
 7. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 1, the head positioner further comprising: an on/off switch; a battery operatively in communication with the on/off switch; a feedback component operatively in communication with the on/off switch and the battery; and a pressure switch operatively in communication with the feedback component.
 8. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 7, the feedback component comprising one or more of a vibrator, an audial emitter, a timer, a pace counter, a stroke rate counter, and a computer.
 9. An athletic instruction apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the audial emitter is configured to emit a human-perceptible sound.
 10. A system for athletic instruction, comprising: a head positioner adapted to be disposed under a user's chin; a strap dimensioned and adapted to secure the head positioner to the user while the user performs a predetermined athletic activity; a fastener dimensioned and adapted to removably attach the strap to the head positioner; and a feedback component integrally disposed with the head positioner, the feedback component dimensioned and configured to provide a predetermined user-perceptible stimulus to the user performing the predetermined athletic activity.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the athletic activity is swimming.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the feedback component is dimensioned and configured to provide one or more of an audial stimulus, a tactile stimulus, or a metric stimulus.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the audial stimulus and the tactile stimulus is provided to the user when the user fails to maintain a predetermined optimized body position.
 14. A method for athletic instruction, the method comprising: attaching to a user an athletic instruction apparatus comprising a head positioner adapted to be disposed under the user's chin; a strap adapted to secure the head positioner to the user; and a fastener to removably fasten the strap to the head positioner; engaging the user in an athletic activity; and encouraging the user to adopt a predetermined optimized body position for the athletic activity by maintaining user chin and chest contact with the athletic instruction apparatus.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the athletic instruction apparatus further comprises a feedback component dimensioned and configured to provide a predetermined user-perceptible stimulus to the user performing the predetermined athletic activity.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined user-perceptible stimulus comprises at least one of an audial stimulus, a tactile stimulus, and a metric stimulus.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing at least one of an audial stimulus and a tactile stimulus to the user when the user fails to maintain the predetermined optimized body position.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the athletic activity is swimming.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined optimized body position comprises at least one of a neutral body position and a ‘banana’ body position. 